Interdisciplinary Approaches to Problems of Substance Use

What we do:

We are mobilizing experts to tackle pressing public health issues related to substance use and substance use disorders by working with key community partners to develop better research capacity. Our focus is on emerging needs within the local community, though we hope to expand out to broader national and international settings. Our team focuses on the development of interdisciplinary approaches that integrate different perspectives and methods related to clinical interventions and diagnostics, population heath, epidemiological surveillance, health systems, policy, and workforce development to improve outcomes for those with substance use disorders.

Who we are:

We are a diverse team of researchers, community partners, and government agencies with expertise in epidemiology, behavioral health, population health, healthcare delivery, family-based care and policy and implementation. Bringing together individuals across public, private, government, and academic sectors will help us address the complex set of problems associated with substance use and misuse.

Why it’s important:

The state of Arizona, along with the rest of the country, is in the midst of its worst opioid-related overdose epidemic. According to the ADHS data, in the first 6 months of 2020, overdose fatality numbers in Arizona were 44% higher compared to the same time period in 2019. Opioid use disorder is a chronic health condition that results in the development of other health conditions including increased risk of blood-borne infections (HIV, Hepatitis C). Use of psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine, is also on the rise in Arizona and across the country. Methamphetamine has been identified as a number one drug threat in Arizona. Use of psychostimulants has been linked to increased risk of adverse health consequences.

Arizona has recently legalized recreational marijuana, and it is not clear what impacts commercialization of marijuana, increased availability of high-potency products, as well as expanded medical use of cannabis, will have on adolescents and young adults, as well as older populations in Arizona and other states that are undergoing similar policy changes. Timely monitoring is needed to inform regulatory decisions and help reduce potential harms to population health. Alcohol use also remains one of the primary substance use problems in Arizona, and alcohol consumption has increased dramatically in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Use of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. There is a need for time-sensitive monitoring of substance use trends to identify new drugs and emerging patterns of use and impacts on population health.

Leadership